Visible cash changer



May 17, 1960 R. H. DAMON 2,936,769

VISIBLE CASH CHANGER Filed Dec. 21, 1956 s sheets-sheet 1 May 17, 1960 R. H. DAMoN VISIBLE CASH CHANGER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 2l, 1956 R. H. DAMON VISIBLE CASH CHANGER Mayu, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed DSC. 21, 1956 IOS INVENTOR. ROBERT H. DAMON BWM/f /Lz/,L

A TTORNEY i Application zclaims. (c1.133s) The invention'relates generallyfto dispenser'sf'and more particularly is directed to a machine for dispensingv4 coins. of different denominations or values. a

The machine embodying the subject invention may 'be designed andconstructedin various ways but is preferablym'ade to accommodate a cartridge or case jconta'irb ing coins of different values, such as cents,v nickels,`dimes and quarters, in a manner vwhereby any coin lcan be readily individually released for use by merely actuating a lever. Y In'otherwords,"a` lever is provided'foi' each denomination 'so-that one or any number of` levers can be manipulated separately or jointly to obtain'fthe' coin or coins desired.

2,936,769 Patented May 17, 1960 intermediate the points of connection between the ejectors and actuators.

Another important object of the invention is to providea subassembly, preferably comprising a front wall of the housing and a member which are detachably sev cured together to provide` a guide means for slida-bly receiving the ejecto'rs and receiving means for accommof case embodying' -imprint principles of One of the principal'obj'ec-ts of the vinvention is to vide a machine comprising, 'among other things," a housf ing, a plurality ofejectors for selectively projecting coins', from the machine, a, plurality of pivotally mounted'ac- -tuators operativelyy connected to the ejectors, and' a plus -ialitjl of'inanual levers'for operatingthe ejectors through the agency of the actuators. j` f Another object of 'the' invention'is'to providea 'ma` chine in -which thehousing includes a base and a plurality of walls which are detachably connected together in a unique mannery tok impart stability to the housing and aiord support for the components'of the operating mechanism. Y n A specific object of theV invention is to `providefa housing having a base and back wall which' are readily detachable from the remainder of the machine in order' to obtain access to the mehcanism. The back wall is provided with means, preferably in the form of keyhole openings to facilitate Vattachment ofthe machine to a vertical support'. f v f A significant 'object of ythe invention is to provide a machine in which ,the side walls there'of provide a support for an upper horizontalr shaft which carries the actuators, a lowervlio'rizloiital shaftY carrying the ,.levers,v

dating the receptacle of the coin case. More particularly"`inthis regard, the member also serves as a rest for the coin 'receptacle and the front wall includes a base wall and side walls to form a channel constituting the receiving means just referred to.' A -bracket'is preferably detachably aixed to thefront wall to assist-in holding the receptacle in position .andthereby prevent outward displacement thereof when coins are ejected.V

','Agp'articular objectof the invention is to provide a guide means .of the character above described in which spacers are-detachably mounted between a lower ange 4on the ffront wall and a ange on the member to form v in combination therewith a plurality of individual guide-v ways.r for vthe ejcctors.

machine which offers ladvantages with respect to costs, manufacture, assembly, durability and elciency.

A further object of the invention is to provide a coin design and construction. V

Otherl objects and advantages of the invention will becomerapparent after the description hereinafter set rforth is considered inv conjunction'with the drawings annexed, which exemplify a preferred embodiment there- Yas and a horizontal stoplfor abutment means for the actua-y tors. p L .I A, i

An important object ofthe invention gis to provide' resilient means preferablycarried by the actuators for urging the levers in a direction to cause the actuators.

to engage the stop to maintain the ejectors in retracted positions and automatically return them to such'positions -following actuation thereof.

A specific object of the invention is to 'provide yeach lever with a concave seat and each actuator with a sleeve engaged by the resilient means for maintaining a con-A .V In the drawings: I 4Figure 1 is a pictorial view 'of the receptacle of a coin case;

. Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken through the oase to illustrate certain structural characteristics thereof;

v Figures 3, 4, 5 andv 6 are sectional views respectively taken on lines 3 3; 1-4; 5 5; and 6-6 of Figure 2 illustrating additional details of construction;4

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the machine; g Figure 8 is an elevational View of the machine shown in Figure 7, with portions broken away to illustrate its internal mechanism;

Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of a guide frame, with portions broken away to depict the operative relationship of coin ejectors therewith;

` Figure 10 is a partial elevational view taken substantially online 10'-10 of Figure 8 showing pivotally mounted actuators constituting components of the mechanism;

- Figurev ll is atransverse section taken through the basev of thev machine showing one of a plurality of resilient pads therefor;

Figure l2 is a vertical sectional View of the machine Y `showing the coin case operatively associated therewith and a lever in an operative position as distinguished from its inoperative position shown in Figure 8;

Figure 13 is a view taken substantially on line 13,13

of Figure 8 illustrating other features of the mechanism; Figure 14 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 14-14 of Figure 12;

- Figure' 15 is a transverse sectional view taken substan- A tially on line 15-15 of Figure 14; and

Figure 16 is a partial elevational view of the back or -rear wall of the housing provided with openings to facilitate attachment of the machine to a vertical wall or support.

The machine illustratedin Figures 7 through 15 of the drawingswhich supports the coin case will be describedL essere@ first. The machine, among other things, includes a housing, a plurality of ejectors 21 carried by a guide frame generally designated 23, a plurality of actuators, generally designated 25, pivotally mounted on an upper horizontal shaft 27 and operatively connected to the ejectors, a plurality of manually operable levers, generally desig` hated 2,9, pivotal on a lower horizontal shaft 31 and operatively connected to the actuators for imparting movement tothe actuators to actuate the ejectors so the latter will be caused to selectively kiclccoins outwardly from the receptacle of a case, generally designated 33, mounted on a support or rest 35 associated with the frame 23, a. stop 37, and resilient means 39 respectively carried by the actuators for urging the levers toretracted or inop-Y erative positions and the actuators against theY stop to normally maintain the levers inV such positions and the ejectors in normally retracted or inoperative positions, all of which will be described more in detail subsequently.

Considering with greater particularity Vthe character of the housing, itis preferably boxlilte in shape'and includes a base 41, a pair of correspondingside walls 43, a back wallV 45, a top wall 47, and an inclined front wall 49. The base 41 is preferably of channel shape and includesva planar portion of a size to`extend forwardly a suicient extent to stabilize and prevent tipping of the machine when operated by manipulating any number of the levers. The planar portion of the base is preferably provided with a hole adjacent each corner'so as to detachably receive pads preferably Vin the form of grommets 51, in a conventional manner, in order to resiliently support the machine to reduce noise and prevent the marring of a surface upon which the machine maybe mounted; VThe base alsoY includes upturned side flanges 53, each flange preferably being provided with a pair ofbayonet slots for respectively detachably receiving pairs of bayonet projections 55 carried by the lower extremities of the side wallsY 43 of the housing as depicted in Figures 7 and 8. The baseisthus readily detachable from the remainder ofthe machine and affords access to its interior.

The corresponding side walls 43 of the housing are substantially planar and each is formed to provide a forwardly substantially triangular portion, which portions jointly support the lower horizontal shaft 31 carrying the levers 29. The lower extremities of the side walls snp? port the stop 37 for the actuators 25, as above referred to, and their Upper extremities are provided. with inturned horizontal .flanges 57 and inclined flanges 59. The. ends Oj the top Wall 47 are preferably secured upon the hori# zontal flanges 57 by spot welds and theinclined anges 59, among other things, assist in locating the frame 23 in a manner which will be later described.

The back wall 45 of the housing is planar and provided with inturned side flanges 61 whichtextend between the side walls and are secured theretoV by pairs of screws. 63. The upper portions of the anges are provided with clearance notches as shown in Figures S and l2. The back wall is also preferably provided with a pairof -k-eyhole openings, 65 through .which headed members carried by a vertical mounting wall may be extended forv sup.

"Ihe front wall` 49is preferably l. d etachably secured:

against the inclined ange 67 of the, top wall by. ascrexm.

69. The front wall may be considered as a component of the frame, 23 because the f ront wall includes alower rearwardly extending flange 71 which serves as anuppen 4 complementary component of a guide means for the ejectors as depicted in Figures 8, 9 and l2. The front wall also includes a planar portion and a pair of corresponding forwardly extending flanges 73, disposed in juxtaposed relation to the flanges 57 and 59 on the side walls of the housing, and form with the planar portion a channel to provide means for detachably receiving the receptacle of the coin case 33.

The guide frame 23 also includes. abridge or support having depending offsets 75 provided with apertures through which the lower shaft V31 extends to ass-ist in mounting'the bridge. Screws extend through thev side walls of Vthe housing and connect with the ends of the shafts 27 and 31 and the stop 37 for detachably securing same to the walls. The bridge includes a portion extending forwardly and substantially at right angles to the front wall to provide the rest for the coin receptacle and arrolfsetrearwardlyl extending ange77 constituting a lower'complementary component of the guide means. The flange 77 Vis secured in parallel relationship to` the flange 71 of the front Wall 49 by ay plurality of spacers 79 and screws 81. More, specifically in this regard, the spacers are preferably in the form of rectangular` plates secured between the lianges at longitudinal spacedlocations. by therscrews. The spacers are preferablyv of the same. lengthas the width of theiiangesand the end ones are preferably of different widths while Ythose therebetween are of corresponding width.v A pairl of screws is utilized to. secure, each spacer in place. The .srews .err. tend' upwardly through holes provided therefor inv the.

' lower flange. 77` and spacers and threadedly connect with threaded apertures. provided in the upper`v` flange 71,Y

Thus, itwll be, evident that the opposed Viianges and spacers in combination provide a plurality .of parallel guideways, which respectively slidably receive. and guide the `ejectorsfor movement in an inclined planeabove the rest 35 as illustrated in FigUresS'and, l2.l The guider/aya) are of a size to impart a smooth stabilizedmovement. to the ejectors and. prevent cooking or binding thereof when reciprocated by the. actuators.

The ejectors 21 correspond with one another and each ispreferably made in the form of any elongated relatively narrow flat strip havinga front abutment for. engaging al coin and a rear extremity provided with receiving meauspteferablyin the form of an. opening 83. as shownl Figures 8J Qand 13,-

'Tghfe frame 2.3- alSQ preferably includes albracket 85 which extends above the' restl and guideways and, illL a.. predetermined relationship to. the rfront wall of the house ing so as to assist in retaining the coin receptacle, in the; channel receiving :means above referred to. This bracket includesa barl egrtendirig between and in advance, of the, side walls' ofthe housing and,V above the levers 29.. The. bracket also includes a pair of rearwardly extending arms V87 abutting the lower edges ofthe inclined flanges 59V the arms yhaving inturned offsets 89'b`earing and' secured` against the rear surface of the front wall byscrews 9'1. The inclined'ianges 59 assist in locating the frame and also assistin closing olf the spaces between the forward Hanges. 73 of the front wall -49 and the sidewalls 43 of' the housing to. improve the general appearance ofthe machine. The bary also serves. as va support yforsuitable.

'n indicia, preferably in theform of decalcornanias, to indi" cate.:which levers .will release `the cointdesh'ed. The inthl n a a` tapered lower end and an upper loop providingan eye 95 or opening through which the'upperA horizontal shaft 27 extends as shown in lFigures 8, 10 and 12. A plurality of cylindrical tubular spacers 97 are preferably-carried by the shaft and interposed between the eyes of the actuators for maintaining the actuators in predetermined axial spaced relationship. The diameter of these spacers are preferably such that their opposed ends cooperate with the eyes of the actuators to stabilize their'pivotal movement with respect to the shaft. It will be noted that the end spacers are of the same length and that the three intermediate spacers are of a dierent corresponding length. 1 A

AA cylindrical sleeve 99 is slidably vmounted on'each actuator for engaging a lever. Each sleeve is provided with a recess 101 and a rounded nose orconvex portion 103. Resilient means 39, preferably in the form of the helical spring, surrounds each actuator with one end bearing against the eye andy its other end seated Vin the recessfor urging the sleeve downwardly so that its nose 103 engages or is received in a concave seat 107 provided in the' upper rear offset end 109 of a lever as depicted in Figures 8 and 12 through 15. `.Each seat is preferably made by forming a depression in the lever. A slot 111 preferablyv intersects each seat.

An annularwasher 113 is preferably secured-fby welds to the underside of the inner offset end 109 of each le'ver in surrounding relationship to each concave seat to rewill, engage the stop 37 to maintain the lever-in inopera-r tive position. Grease vis preferably placed in the conca ve seats to promote eiciency of operation. In lorder to facilitate application of grease to the seats when required, each of the sleeves is preferablyV provided with an annular enlargement 117 which can be engaged to slide the sleeve upwardly to expose the seat.

Each of the levers preferably includesa long leg 119 disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal and an inner upturned short leg 121 disposed substantially at right angles tothe long leg, The short leg is provided with the offset end.109 above referred to and the fore extremityof the longv leg has .anupturned portion provided `with an oifset'123 serving as a, handleor finger engaging portion to facilitate manipulation ofthe lever.

The long leg of each lever is preferably providedwith an aperture through which the lower shaft extends and in order td'stabilize the pivotal movement of each lever and maintain `them in axial spaced'relationship, one 'end of a cylindrical spacer tube 125 is preferablybutt welded to one side of the long leg of each lever in axial alignment with the aperture therein. Each of these tubes is preferably provided with one ormore transverse holes 127 4substantially midway its ends as shown inl `Figure 7 so that a lubricant can be insertedforlflow between'the shaft and tubes. In view of the foregoing, it will be evident that the sleeves, through the springs,"force'the levers in a direction to cause all ofthe actuators'to engage the stop 37 to normally maintain the levers in'an inoperative position and that when any lever is depressed. it will pivot about the of. the lw'er'shaft 31V -and relative to an actuator adca'nse uieinh'rise't and f'the' lever and the' sleeve mounted thereon to move upwardly alo-ng the actuator and compress the spring and at the same time pivot the actuator about the axis of the upper shaft 27 so that it will slide in the opening of an ejector and cam or drive the ejector forwardly as evidenced in Figure 12 to eject or ip a coin outwardly from the coin case.

The unique principles of design and construction embodied in the coin case, as exemplified primarily in Figures 1 through 6 of the drawing, will now be described. The case generally designated 33 may be constructed in various ways but, as depicted, is preferably in the form of a rectangular box, comprising a receptacle or container and a cover 129 which are detachably connected together in a novel manner. The case is preferably made from a transparent moulded plastic-material and of a size to promote convenience in handling.

The receptacle of the case includes, among other things, corresponding top and bottom walls 131 and 133, substantially corresponding side walls 135 and 137and what maybe considered three parallel front walls disposed in the same plane. More particularly in this regard,

there is` a center front wall 139 and front walls 141 and 143 disposed on opposite sides of and parallel to the center wall. The-center Wall 139 is preferably slightly greater in width than the other walls and wall 141 greater than wall 143 and spaced apart farther from the center wallfthan wall 143. These front Walls are joined to and extend laterally predetermined distances beyond the top and bottom walls of the receptacle to form projections 145. The side walls are provided with anges 147 joining top and bottom Walls. These flanges extend outwardly from the side walls in the same plane as the front walls and laterally beyond the ,top and bottom walls the same extent as the front walls to form projections corresponding to theprojections 145. The left ange .147 is' preferably provided with aboss 149.

The cover 129, among other things, includes a pair of i corresponding longitudinal walls provided with opposed grooves 151 which slidably receive the rows of projec-l tions 145. The cover is also provided with a recess 153 which receives the boss 149 to detachably secure the receptacle and cover together. Release of the coverv is effected by merely forcing the cover away from the boss so the latter. will clear the recess. An opening (not shown) is provided in the cover adjacent the recess to' facilitateentry of a linger or tool to release the boss from the aperture. ObviouslyLother means suitable for the purpose can be employed for effecting a snap connection and the relationship of the boss and recess could be rei versed.

Attention is directed to the fact that the top and bottom` walls 131 and 133 of the receptacle are-preferably split transversely of their length at locations opposite the centerv wall as indicated at 155 sothat the receptacle is more or less divided into a pair of sections which are resiliently hinged or connected'by the center wall 139 which isV common to both sections. This unique structure offers a setupv whereby the receptacle may be more easily piloted and/.or inserted into and removed from the receiving'y means of the machine and so that it will be held firmly in place on the machine by its inherent resiliency.

The `receptacle 'of the case is preferably moulded to provide -a plurality of parallel receiving means preferably inthe shape of generally semi-cylindrical formations 157, I159, 161 and 163, which are adapted torespectivelyvre'- c'e'ivecoins such yas cents, nickels, dimes and quarters. The rear surface of the base portion of each formation is preferably planar and the base porttions of the formations 157, 159, 161 and 163 are preferably respectively provided with a series of vertically aligned slots 165,- 167, 169 and `171 as illustrated to provide windows'or sight openings. The number, and lengths of the slots and distances therebetween in eachformation vary.to pro vide Ya predetermined appropriate setup so that one rriayk equivalent to the combined thickness of five nickels; ve

dimes and ve quarters; or if desired, the distance from the bottom.V wall. 133 tothe upper-'or lower marginalend edge of each slot; may serve as a gauge, to` determine., in predetermined multiples, the. value.- of the coinsi iir. each stack.

In; order` to further assist in. determining; the: values the rear surface: of each'V formation is preferably provided withsuitable. indicia of graduatedA values as: indi.- cated at 17 3;: correspondingto .i the valuesA indicatedfby; the slots and correspondingrindicia 175 for. the same purpose ist also preferably. provided4 on the front wallsi 141v and 143,:and, on the flanges 147 on the receptacle as clearly exempliiiedain Erigure 1 ofthedrawing.

Also,.as clearly illustrated in Figures 2Y through 6,

the-inner sidesof'thecover 129 of thel case is preferablyY provided with four rows of generally rectangular recesses177, 1st-79,181 and, 183v constituting windows or sight openings` The rows of recesses respectively cooperate with the formations andthe recesses in each row correspond; withvonev another and with the slots or windows inV each formation. Inother words, when the receptacle and cover are assembled, the recesses in the covers are disposed directlyfopposite the slots or windows in the formations. More specilically in this respect, the widths'ofy the recesses in each row respectively correspond to the lengths. of the slots or: windows. opposite thereto;

The bottom wallr133of'thefreceptacle serves as-asup.- port or seaty forthe coins whenvthe receptacle s placed in the machine and this` wall is'interrupted by a plurality ofarcuate openings. 185 the size of, which. increase in accord with the` size of the formations. These openings. facilitate manual removal ofl coins from;the, receptacle. The baseof each formation is .provided with a general-l lyffrectangular,notch.187 adjacentthe bottom wal1133 and. forms in combination therewith an opening of, a sizetorsubstantially receive an ejector.

T o use the case, the cover is removed and the receptacle loadedwith coins is merely placedinto the receiving means of the machine as illustrated in Figures.

8,- 12 andI 13, so that the notches 187 in the lower extremities ofthe formations for the coins are respectively alignedwith the guideways for the ejectors so the latter will selectively eject coins whenever the levers are operated.

Hraving thus described `my invention, it is obvious that Various modifications may` be made in the same withoutdepartng from the spirit of the invention, and, therefore,.I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself., to` the exact form, construction, arrangement, and combination Ofparts herein shown and described.

Iclaim:

1, A device of the character described comprising Va liousing'having an inclined front wall, and side walls, a transparent coin box having a slot therein adjacent its lower end, said-front wall having inturned ilanges forming receieving means for said transparent coin box, a flat coin ejector, vhaving an opening adjacent one end thereof, extended through said slot, a shaft extending transverselybetweensaid side walls below said slot, an elongated L-shaped actuatorrhaving an intermediate portion ofone leg pivotally mounted on said shaft, the other leg of Saidactuato'r extending upwardly interiorlyof said housing behind said Acoin box and above saidopening in saidejector, a second shaft parallel to said first-men-` tioned.. shaft extending transversely across said housing adjacent `the Vtop thereof andmrearwardly of said box and allg-Wille extremity of saidgoth er leg of said L-shaped actuator, arearupper offsety end 'on said extremity of said other leg of. said` actuator, an. apertured indentation; in said; offset: leg, a, cylindrical'f sleeve'v having a;V rounded lower, end, with a bore tlerethrougln said rounded lower end seating; inY said indentation: forv swivellingV movement relative? thereto;. and an@ actuator; rod pivotally mounted at' its; upper; end. on, said.y second'rnenti`onecl; shaft,. said actuatorl rod extending downwardly, throughA said, apex'.- tiured;v lower end of: said' sleeve', said: apertured indentaz? tion, and` saidl opening` infY said ejector,4 whereby pivotal movement; oft said one, leg; of. said actuator: about: said first-mentioned shaft through movement off said offset end slidessaid. sleevey upwardly on said actuatori rod to pivot said actuator rod toward the front wall of said housing. about itsz axis onk said second-mentioned shaft to extend,l through` its engagement in saidv opening said ejector forwardlyv insaid slot` to eject a. coin.- from said coin; box.

2., A device ofV the.- character described comprisinga' housingv havingan=. inclined,` front wallj. and'side walls',4 av transparent coin box having a. slot therein adjacent its lower end', said front wall. having, inturned flanges forming receiving, means for; said transparent coinbox, a at coin ejector, having an opening adjacent one end thereof, extended'.` throughv saidY slot, a shaft extending transversely between said side-walls below saidV slot, an elongated L-shaped. actuator having an intermediate portion of oneleg pivotally mounted onfsaid .shaft,the other leg of said actuator extendingupwardly interiorly of `said housing behind said; coin box and above said. openingv in. said ejector, ar second.. shaft` parallel.. to said. first; mentioned shaft extending transverselyv across'.y said. housiing adjacent the top thereofv and rearwardly. of said box and. above the extremity of said other leg of said.` L.- shaped actuator,.a rear. upper offset end von said extreme ityl of. saidother legof said. actuator, an apertured ine dentationl inv saidoffset.- leg, a cylindrical sleeve.. having a: rounded. lower end withv a bore therethrough and. an. upper socket,y said4 rounded lowery end seating in said indentationfor swivelling movement relative thereto, an actuator rod pivotally mounted at its upper end on said second-mentioned shaft, said actuator rod extending downwardly through said socket, 4said apertured lower end of'said sleeve, said apertured indentation, andsaid opening in. said ejector, Vwhereby pivotal movement. of said one leg. of said actuator aboutA said .rstfmentioned shaft, through movement ofsaid'offset endslides said sleeveupwardly on said'actuator rod to. pivotsaid. actu,- ator rod toward `the .front wall of said housing about its axis on said secondfmentioned shaft yto extend, through t its engagement in said opening, said ejector forwardly insaid slot to ejectV a coin from said coin box, andV a spring having one end seated in said socket andthe other end abutting said second shaftsurrounding said actuator rod,fbiasing said sleeve downwardly, to returny said ejector to retracted position.

References .Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 483,973 Adams Oct. 4, 1892 587,599Y ODonnell Aug.` 3; 1897 682,740 Peters Sept. 17',V 190i 851,303' McKenzie Apr. 23, 1907 1,172,607 Jones Feb. 22', 1916 1,398,299 McGill Nov. 29,` 1921 1,454,392 Loyd Mayr8, 1923` 2,594,907 Gassaway Apr'. 29, 1952l 2,703,907'.Y Newell, Mar: 15; 1955 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,936,769 May 17, 1960 Robert H. Damon It is hereby certified thaterror appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 3, line 42, before "substantially" insert extend. ing column 5, line 19, after "recess" strike out the hyphen; column 7, line l2, for nIriyure" read Figure line 14, for "sides" read side Signed and sealed this 25th day of October 1960.

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H, AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting Oicer I Commissioner of Patents 

